Oktoberfest and a Murder-Mystery Dinner at Five Crowns, the Annual Tiger Woods Block Party and More
WEB-EXCLUSIVE: Find out what's cooking in the world of Orange County food and dining.
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Executive Chef Dennis Brask of Five Crowns (949.760.0331) will celebrate Oktoberfest on October 13, 6:30 p.m. with a grandiose buffet-style German dinner menu accompanied with a variety of beers. Gavin Owen, regional manager of Spaten West Inc., will be on hand to describe the beers that include Spaten Munchen Dunkel, available this year for the first time in the U.S., Franziskaner Hefe Weisse and Spaten Oktoberfest. Foods include authentic German starters, sauerbraten, Jagerschnitzel, rotisserie-roasted beer-marinated chicken, and salmon with herbs and horseradish, and traditional accompaniments. The finish includes an apple strudel and bee sting cake made from almonds and honey. Cost, $69 per person, all-inclusive.
What could be more fun on Halloween, than enjoying dinner while a murder-mystery is played out in the atmosphere of an old English country inn, namely Five Crowns? On October 30, 7 p.m., Chef Brask again prepares the perfect prix fixe dinner that will be enjoyed while a new mystery unfolds. Following an appetizer of porcini mushroom raviolis and a salad of baby greens, a choice of entrees, including Five Crowns' famous prime ribs of beef with all the trimmings, will be offered. Dessert is an exquisite strawberry trifle. Cost, $96 per person, all-inclusive. Reservations are a must.
Two events are scheduled this month at Bluewater Grill in Cannery Village (949.675.3474) and at The District at Tustin Legacy (714.258.3474). The monthly tasting event on October 13, will be Oyster and Wine Pairings. Mendocino fire-roasted oysters are prepared three ways, and paired with hand-selected varietals from Firestone Vineyards. Cost, $24.95. Reservations are encouraged. On October 14, both Grills welcome the California Spiny lobster season that extends through the middle of March 2010. Spiny lobsters are known for their coarse texture and exceptionally sweet and delicious flavor. Note: Bluewater Grill in Newport Beach has recently expanded and covered its waterfront patio, making al fresco dining enjoyable all day, all year. A fourth Bluewater Grill is expected to open this month in Phoenix, Arizona, on the former site of The Fish Market.
Classes at Eno-Versity, the premiere wine, cheese and chocolate tasting room at The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel, are always informative and fun. Held in a communal and comfortable environment, guests interact with each other and the sommelier. On October 9, the wines of the Tuscany Harvest will be sampled and discussed. Misunderstood Merlot is scheduled for October 23. Classes start at 5:30 p.m. and are priced at $35 per person. For reservations, call Resort Services at 949.240.2000.
On October 17, the Tiger Woods Learning Center hosts its fifth annual Tiger Woods Block Party at the Grove in Anaheim. After an outing of golf and a golfing exhibition, celebrity Chef Tim Love of The Lonesome Dove Restaurant in Fort Worth, Texas, transforms Western cuisine into a gourmet dinner. Sheryl Crow headlines the entertainment. For more details, contact the Tiger Woods Foundation at 848.725.3003.
Alternatives to sliced filet mignon and prime beef burgers at Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar (949.720.9633) include burgers made with ahi tuna, jumbo lump crab cakes and Portobello mushrooms on its “5 entrees for $6 each til 7 p.m.” special menu. Each burger is served with a mini-wedge salad and two huge signature onion rings.
Susie Cakes in Westcliff Plaza Newport Beach (949.646.6881) is ready for the upcoming holidays with specially baked treats that will be featured each month through the end of the year. October highlights pumpkin cheesecake and pumpkin spice cupcakes. In November, it is traditional pumpkin, Southern pecan and apple crumble pies. December will offer egg nog cheesecake, Yule log cake and gingerbread houses. Assorted cupcakes and cookies are also planned for each month.
On October 16, 6:30 p.m., Antonello’s in South Coast Plaza Village (714.751.7153) will host the David Arthur Vineyards at a five-course winemaker dinner . Executive Chef Franco Barone will serve an exquisite entree of lamb loin wrapped with prosciutto d’Parma and puff pastry. Cost, $165 per person, all inclusive. For reservations, call or e-mail: steve@antonello.com.
